The central character of Camber of Culdi is Camber himself. It is not surprising that Camber becomes the center of legend and is even canonized, for Kurtz gives him every advantage: He is wise, gentle, stern, a master politician, a doughty fighter, a kind father, good master, intellectual giant, and possessor of the greatest and most fluent power in Gwynned. For all this, however, Camber still emerges as human and believable. He is subject to doubts and to grief, and he exhibits a dry sense of humor. In other words, Camber is not simply set forth as paragon: Camber lives, acts, and feels.

Kurtz uses Camber in several ways. He is the sounding board for other characters. He and Joram are meant to act out the classic confrontation of father and son (although this is stated more than shown). Camber and Alister Cullen exemplify the man of intellect...